Michigan State coach Mel Tucker agrees to 10-year, $95 million contract as Spartans eye 10 wins

Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker on Wednesday agreed to a 10-year deal worth $95 million to remain with the Spartans, the school announced.

The new contract, which made headlines around college football last week leading up to the Spartans’ game at Ohio State, makes Tucker one of the highest paid coaches in the sport and comes four days before Michigan State closes its regular season.

Tucker can thank a group of Spartans donors, who gathered to help complete the deal this month, as Michigan State takes a turn toward recruiting: Mat Ishbia, Steve St. Andre, Brian Mosallam and Jason Strayhorn.

“Every day I wake up feeling humbled to be the Head Football Coach at Michigan State,” Tucker wrote in a letter posted on his official Twitter account. “It is my privilege to work alongside our student athletes, coaches and staff who embody our culture of hard work, discipline, and excellence — on and off the field.”

The news comes five days after the Spartans dropped a 56-7 decision at Ohio State, Tucker’s second loss in his last three games after Michigan State opened the year at 8-0. The surprising start landed the Spartans (9-2) in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings before ultimately dropping.

“This is a process to build a championship-winning program,” he wrote in his social media post. “A process that drives us to be better. A process that demands relentless soul and grit. A process that requires the support from Spartans across the globe. I am honored to be a part of the Spartan process today, and for years to come.”

Clearly, the Big Ten school believes in that process.

“Mel Tucker has been an outstanding addition to our Spartan Athletic program,” university president Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., said in the school’s announcement. “In less than two years, his leadership has already resulted in a program competing for top honors, and I’m impressed by his intensity and drive. Spartan fans around the country are enjoying the success of this…